How to Hide Highlights on Instagram: Privacy Guide 2025

Can You Hide Instagram Highlights?

Yes, you can control who sees your Instagram highlights through privacy settings, temporary removal, or strategic archiving. While Instagram doesn't offer a direct "hide" button for highlights, there are several effective methods to manage their visibility.

Methods to Hide Instagram Highlights

Method 1: Hide Highlights from Specific People

Instagram allows you to hide your story highlights from specific followers without blocking them.

Steps:

1. Open Instagram and go to your profile
2. Tap the menu icon (three lines) in the top right
3. Select "Settings and privacy"
4. Go to "Privacy" then "Story"
5. Tap "Hide story from"
6. Select people you want to hide highlights from
7. Tap "Done"

Important: This hides both current stories AND highlights from selected people.

Method 2: Use Close Friends Feature

Create exclusive highlights visible only to your close friends list.

How to set up:

1. Go to your profile
2. Tap menu icon and select "Close Friends"
3. Add people to your close friends list
4. When creating stories, select "Close Friends" option
5. These stories can be saved as highlights visible only to close friends

Method 3: Temporarily Remove Highlights

Remove highlights without deleting the stories permanently.

Steps:

1. Go to your profile
2. Tap and hold the highlight you want to hide
3. Select "Delete Highlight"
4. Confirm deletion

Note: Stories remain in your archive and can be re-added later.

Method 4: Make Your Account Private

Control who can see all your content, including highlights.

To switch to private:

1. Go to Settings and privacy
2. Select "Account privacy"
3. Toggle on "Private account"
4. Only approved followers can see your highlights

Method 5: Archive Instead of Highlight

Keep stories in your archive without creating public highlights.

Process:

1. Let stories expire after 24 hours
2. They automatically save to archive
3. Access them via Archive icon on your profile
4. Only you can see archived stories

Advanced Privacy Settings for Highlights

Custom Highlight Covers

Use neutral covers to make highlights less noticeable:

1. Create solid color images
2. Use abstract designs
3. Upload as highlight covers
4. Makes content less obvious at first glance

Smart Highlight Organization

Manage visibility through organization:

• Place sensitive highlights at the end
• Use vague titles
• Limit number of stories per highlight
• Regularly review and update content

Story Controls Before Highlighting

Set privacy before stories become highlights:

1. Share stories with close friends only
2. Hide from specific accounts first
3. Then add to highlights
4. Privacy settings carry over

Who Can See Your Hidden Highlights?

When Highlights Are Hidden:

• Hidden users: Cannot see highlights at all
• Close friends: See only close friends highlights
• Private account: Only followers see highlights
• Public account: Everyone except hidden users

Visibility Matrix:

Common Issues and Solutions

Highlights Still Visible After Hiding

Possible causes:

• Cache not updated
• Settings not saved properly
• User not selected in hide list

Solutions:

1. Force close and reopen Instagram
2. Clear app cache
3. Re-check privacy settings
4. Log out and back in

Can't Find Hide Option

If option missing:

• Update Instagram to latest version
• Check if account is restricted
• Try using web version
• Contact Instagram support

Highlights Reappearing

Why this happens:

• Adding new stories to highlight
• Privacy settings reset
• App glitches

Prevention:

• Review settings regularly
• Be careful when updating highlights
• Keep app updated

Alternative Solutions

Create Secondary Account

Maintain separate accounts for different audiences:

1. Professional account for public content
2. Personal account for close friends
3. Control highlights on each separately

Use Story Features Strategically

Instead of highlights:

• Post important content as regular posts
• Use IGTV for longer content
• Create Reels for discoverable content
• Use Guides for curated collections

Third-Party Apps (Use Cautiously)

Some apps claim to offer advanced privacy features:

• Research thoroughly before using
• Never share Instagram password
• Check reviews and ratings
• Understand risks involved

Best Practices for Highlight Privacy

Regular Maintenance

• Review highlights monthly
• Remove outdated content
• Update privacy settings
• Check who's viewing

Content Strategy

• Plan what goes in highlights
• Consider audience for each highlight
• Use appropriate privacy settings
• Think before highlighting sensitive content

Privacy Checklist

• ✓ Review follower list regularly
• ✓ Update close friends list
• ✓ Check story settings
• ✓ Audit existing highlights
• ✓ Test privacy settings with trusted friend

Frequently Asked Questions

Can someone tell if I've hidden my highlights from them?

No, Instagram doesn't notify users when you hide highlights from them. They simply won't see the highlights on your profile.

Do hidden highlights affect story views?

Yes, if you hide stories from someone, they also can't see those stories in highlights. The settings are connected.

Can I hide specific highlights from certain people?

Not individually. Hide settings apply to all highlights. You either hide all or none from specific people.

Will blocking someone hide my highlights?

Yes, blocked users cannot see any of your content, including highlights, posts, or stories.

Can I recover deleted highlights?

Yes, if the original stories are in your archive, you can recreate the highlight. Go to Archive and re-add stories to highlights.

Instagram Highlights Privacy Tips

For Personal Accounts

• Use close friends liberally
• Keep account private
• Regularly review followers
• Archive sensitive content

For Business Accounts

• Create professional highlights only
• Use separate personal account
• Monitor insights for viewer data
• Keep branding consistent

For Influencers

• Balance personal and promotional
• Use highlights strategically
• Consider audience demographics
• Maintain authenticity

Related Resources

• Learn about Instagram Story games for engagement
• Discover questions to ask on Instagram Story
• Explore our Instagram marketing strategy guide
• Check out how to hide following list on Instagram
• Use our Instagram tools for content creation
• Learn about Instagram Stories for business
• Try our Instagram username generator

Conclusion

While Instagram doesn't offer a simple "hide highlights" button, you have multiple options to control who sees your highlights. Whether using privacy settings, close friends features, or strategic account management, you can maintain control over your content visibility.

Remember to regularly review your privacy settings and be mindful of what you add to highlights. The best approach depends on your specific needs, whether you're managing a personal account, business profile, or influencer presence.

Ready to manage your Instagram content more effectively? Try SocialRails to schedule stories, plan highlights, and maintain consistent posting across all your social media accounts.